Objective: To provide an entry-level, new technology reliability assessment of the PulStar computer-assisted, differential compliance spinal instrument.
Subjects: Eighteen college students (9 male and 9 female) were recruited by announcements and personal contacts.
Methods: Following approval of the consent process by the Institutional Review Board of Mississippi State University, a PulStar Function Recording and Analysis System (PulStarFRAS) device was evaluated for clinical reliability. Two examiners, blinded from data collection, used the instrument on individual subjects in random order (lying prone with their backs exposed) to administer light impulses (approximately equal to .9 J which produced a 3- to 4-lb force) at each segmental level throughout the cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spine using probe tips spaced 3 cm apart, straddling the spinous processes, while a computer recorded the findings (resistance on a scale of 0 to 25.5 lb force). Data were analyzed by Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) with analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing and by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). In addition, a mean test (ANOVA) was conducted to determine if a trend in variation occurred as a result of repeated light thrusts to the spine, independent of variance explained by different examiners.
Results: Using EDA analysis and ANOVA, intraexaminer reliability for the 2 practitioners was very high but not perfect. This was confirmed by ICC statistics demonstrating good to excellent reliability for both practitioners (0.89 for the experienced practitioner, 0.78 for the newly trained practitioner). Interexaminer reliability of PulStar was similarly very high but not perfect based on EDA/ANOVA analysis and good to excellent (ICC = 0.87).
Conclusion: The PulStar mechanical adjusting device set to analysis mode appears to have good to excellent reliability when used by either an experienced or a novice (but trained) examiner. In addition, as a measure for resistance to a light thrust or spinal compliance, reliability was similarly good to excellent between the 2 doctors using the PulStar instrument.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0161-4754(03)00106-4 | DOI Listing |
Anal Sci
January 2025
MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, People's Republic of China.
As one of the most harmful heavy metal pollutants, hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is becoming a serious threat to human health. Thus pursuing a remarkably sensitive method to monitor the Cr(VI) concentration in natural conditions is favored for the fast response to prevent harm. In the present work, an ethylenediamine (En) and SiO-modified wool keratin-based carbon quantum dot (CQD)(En@CQDs@SiO) fluorescent sensor is prepared, and the En is found to improve the discrimination ability by binding the Cr(VI) with the surface carboxyl groups.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEye (Lond)
January 2025
Ophthalmology Department, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK.
Background: This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of various large language models in generating responses for ophthalmology emergencies and compares their accuracy with the established United Kingdom's National Health Service 111 online system.
Methods: We included 21 ophthalmology-related emergency scenario questions from the NHS 111 triaging algorithm. These questions were based on four different ophthalmology emergency themes as laid out in the NHS 111 algorithm.
Aesthetic Plast Surg
January 2025
Department of Plastic, Burn and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ain Shams University, 7 Mohsen Roshdy street, Nasr City, Cairo, 11731, Egypt.
Background: Pseudogynecomastia in MWL patients is characterized by excess skin in chest, lateral chest, axilla and upper abdomen without enlargement of the breast glandular component. The aim of this work was to study long-term aesthetic outcomes of correction of severe pseudogynecomastia post-weight loss with inferior pedicle technique with some refinements.
Methodology: This prospective study included 15 patients underwent chest contouring after massive weight loss within period of 2 years between January 2022 and January 2024.
Sci Rep
January 2025
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey.
The Ottawa Sitting Scale is a tool for the multidimensional assessment of sitting balance. This study aimed to investigate the validity, reliability, and psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Ottawa Sitting Scale (OSS-TR) in Turkish-speaking patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The study included 56 patients diagnosed with PD based on the UK Brain Bank Criteria.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Street, Jinan, 250033, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a novel approach to managing the incisions used to treat tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) with soft tissue swelling. We retrospectively enrolled 64 patients with TPFs who underwent surgery at the Second Hospital of Shandong University. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n = 32) underwent early surgery with the novel incision management technique, and Group B (n = 32) underwent conventional surgery after swelling reduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!